Monday, December 03, 2012

Austere Avvaiyar - Part 9

Vinayagar
Agaval, another masterpiece by Avvaiyar, that has stood the test of
time and has also been passed on for generations and is recited even
today in many homes. The hymn is in praise of universally accepted and
much worshipped deity - Lord Vinayagar or Ganesha. There are two ways of
describing someone in songs, the Paadhathikesa varnanai and the
Kesadhipaadha varnanai, the former begins from the feet and describe up
to the head and hair the latter is the reverse. Usually the former form
is used when praising Gods. Avvaiyar has used the Paadhadhikesa varnanai
in Vinayagar Agaval. The
greatness of Vinayagar Agaval is that it contains explanations about
the very many things that one would acquire by worshipping Lord
Vinayagar. The beauty is that all the greatness is containing in just 72
lines. It is packed with so much of stuff that some Siddhars and sages
taken time to realise what is contained in Vinayagar Agaval. In
short, Avvaiyar explains how she got enlightened by Vinayagar the young
elephant God - son of Lord Shiva. I wrote this as a one very long post
to keep the essence and richness intact rather than distributing the
feel of this great work across multiple postசீதக் களபச் செந்தா மரைபூம் பாதச் சிலம்பு பலஇசை பாடபொன்னரை ஞானும் பூந்துகிலா டையும் வன்னமருங்கில் வளர்ந்தழ கெறிப்ப Seedha Kalaba Senthamari PooPaadha Silambu Pala Isai PaadaPonnarai Gnanum Poondhugil AadaiyumVanna Marungil Valardhalagu Erippameaning, The rose-coloured lotus feet of a baby elephant adorned with anklets singing many songsThe golden waist chain and the flowery attire that decorates its bodyபேழை வயிறும் பெரும்பாரக் கோடும்வேழ முகமும் விளங்குசிந் தூரமும்அஞ்சு கரமும் அங்குச பாசமும்நெஞ்சிற் குடிகொண்ட நீல மேனியும் Pezhai Vayirum Perumbaara KodumVezha Mugamum Vilangu SindhooramumAnju Karamum Angusa PaasamumNenjil Kudikonda Neela Meniyummeaning, His box like belly and the weighty tuskHis Elephant face & and the vivid saffron streakHis Five Hands, the goad & the nooseThe bluish body that captivated my heartநான்ற வாயும் நாலிரு புயமும் மூன்று கண்ணும் மும்மதச் சுவடும்இரண்டு செவியும் இலங்குபொன் முடியும்திரண்ட முப்புரிநூலும் திகழொளி மார்பும்Naandra Vaayum Naaliru PuyamumMoondru Kannum Mummadha SuvadumIrandu Seviyum Ilangupon MudiyumThiranda Muppurinoolum Thigazholi Maarbummeaning,His hanging mouth, the four shoulders on two sidesHis three eyes, the three musk trailsHis two ears and the shiny golden hairThe holy three threads intertwined upon his broad chestThe
three eyes requires some explanation. The two external eyes is known
however the third eye, is what the sages and siddhars refer to is the
pineal gland - the control centre of the body regulating the hormones.
That is also one of the reasons for people to apply the holy ash by men
or bindis by women in order to stimulate the pineal gland and thereby
prevents precocious puberty.சொற்பதம் கடந்த துரிய மெய்ஞ் ஞான அற்புதன் ஈன்ற கற்பகக் களிறேமுப்பழம் நுகரும் மூஷிக வாகனன்இப்பொழு தென்னை ஆட்கொள வேண்டித் Sorpadham Kadandha Thuriya MeignanaArputhan Eendra Karpaga KaliraeMuppazham Nugarum Mooshiga VaagananIppozhudhu Ennai Aatkolla Vendimeaning, The Lord ( Lord Shiva) of the true knowledge - that is beyond word's explanation - Turiya (The Sleepless Sleep)Begotten this Wish fulfilling (Karpagam) ElephantThe Lord who rides the mouse and tastes the three fruits - Mukkanis (Mangoes, Jackfruit, Banana)Came now to possess me as His devoteeதாயா யெனக்குத் தானெழுந் தருளி மாயாப் பிறவி மயக்க மறுத்தேதிருந்திய முதலைந் தெழுத்துத் தெளிவாய்ப் பொருந்தவே வந்தென் உளந்தனில் புகுந்து Thaayai Enakkum Thaanezhndhu AruliMaayaa Piravi Mayakkam AruthaeThirundhiya Mudhal Aindheluthu ThelivaaiPorundhavae Vandhenn Ulandhanil Pugundhumeaning,Appearing as a Mother to shower his grace on meHe cleaved the trance of illusionary birthTo explain The pristine and divine five letters (Na Ma Si Va Ya) for my mind to understandHe entered into my heart thenகுருவடி வாகிக் குவலயந் தன்னில் திருவடி வைத்துத் திறமிது பொருளென வாடா வகைதன் மகிழ்ந்தெனக் கருளிக் கோடா யுதத்தால் கொடுவினை களைந்தேGuruvadivaagi Kuvalayam ThanilThiruvadi Vaiththu Thiramidhu PorulenaVaadaa Vagaithan Magizhndhu EnakkaruliKodaayudhaththaal Koduvinai KalaindhaeTaking the form of a Guru (Teacher) in this worldPlacing his divine feet and establishing life’s meaningJoyously bestowing the evergreen grace on meExpunging the bad karma with His tusksஉவட்டா உபதேசம் புகட்டியென் செவியில் தெவிட்டாத ஞானத் தெளிவையும் காட்டி ஐம்புலன் தன்னை அடக்கும் உபாயம் இன்புறு கருணை இனிதெனக் கருளிக் Uvatta Ubadesam Pugatti Enn SeviyilThevittadha Gnana Thelivaiyum KaatiAimbulan Thannai Adakkum Ubaayam Inburu Karunai Inidhenakkarulimeaning,He feeds his teachings into my ears which never makes me filledShowing the sweetest clarity of wisdomThe mastery to control the five sensesBestowed to me by His joyest graceகருவிக ளொடுக்கும் கருத்தினை யறிவித்து இருவினை தன்னை அறுத்திருள் கடிந்து தலமொரு நான்கும் தந்தெனக் கருளிமலமொரு மூன்றின் மயக்கம் அறுத்தே Karuvigal Odukkum Karuththinai AriviththuIruvinai Thannai Aruththirul KadinthuThalamoru Naangum Thandhenakku AruliMalamoru Moondrin Mayakkam AruththaemeaningHe imparted me the knowledge of subduing the sensesEliminating the darkness of birth and deathBlessing me with the four stages of salvationAbscising the spell of three impurities (Pride, Sin, Ignorance) ஒன்பது வாயில் ஒருமந் திரத்தால்ஐம்புலக் கதவை அடைப்பதும் காட்டி ஆறா தாரத்து அங்குச நிலையும் பேறா நிறுத்திப் பேச்சுரை யறுத்தேOnbadhu Vaayil Oru MandhiraththaalAimbula Kadhavai Adaipadhum KaatiAarathaarathu Angusa NilayumPeraa Niruththi Paechurai Aruththaemeaning,He showed one mantra for all the nine doorways to this bodyThat could shut the Five sense gates that act on these doorwaysKnowledge about the six chakras, became a prodding goad By His definitive speech, that stood in mind foreverஇடைபிங் கலையின் எழுத்தறி வித்துக் கடையிற் சுழுமுனை கபாலமும் காட்டி மூன்றுமண் டலத்தின் முட்டிய தூணின் நான்றெழு பாம்பின் நாவில் உணர்த்திக்Idai Pingalayin EzhuthariviththuKadaiyil Sulumunai Kabaalamum KaatiMoondru Mandalaththin Muttiya ThooninNaandrezhu Paambin Naavil Unarththimeaning,Showing details of the Idai and Pingalai Naadis that control the flow of breathThe end of which is the Suzhumunai Naadi at the head.He made me realize about the pillar that stands connected to the three realmsAnd the Snake (Kundalini) that rises aboveகுண்டலி யதனிற் கூடிய அசபை விண்டெழு மந்திரம் வெளிப்பட உரைத்துமூலா தாரத்தின் முண்டெழு கனலைக்காலால் எழுப்புங் கருத்தறி வித்தே Kundali Adhanil Koodiya AsabaiVindezhu Mandhiram Velippada UraithuMooladhaarathin Mundezhu KanalaiKaalaal Ezhuppum Karuthu Ariviththaemeaning,The rhythm of breathing that accompanies the KundaliniRised above by the Mantra imparted to me by HimThe flame that ascends from the base chakra (Mooladharam)He imparted the knowledge to elevate it from the baseஅமுத நிலையும் ஆதித்தன் இயக்கமும் குமுத சகாயன் குணத்தையுங் கூறிஇடைச் சக்கரத்தின் ஈரெட்டு நிலையும்உடற் சக்கரத்தின் உறுப்பையும் காட்டி Amudha Nilayum Aadhithan IyakkamumKumudha Sagaayan Gunaththayum KooriIdai Chakkarathin Eerettu Nilayum Udal Chakkarathin Uruppayum Kaatimeaning,The state of enlightenment and the functioning of the SunThe nature of lily-lover - The Moon, all explained to me by His graceHe revealed the sixteen facets of the Vishuddhi ChakraAnd the components of the Chakras in the bodyசண்முக தூலமுஞ் சதுர்முகச் சூக்கமும்எண்முக மாய் இனிதெனக் கருளி புரியட்ட காயம் புலப்பட எனக்குத்தெரியெட்டு நிலையும் தெரிசன படுத்திShanmuga Thoolamum Sadhurmuga SookamumEnnmugamaai Inidhenakku AruliPuriyatta Kaayam Pulappada EnakkuTheriyettu Nilayum Therisana PaduththimeaningThe tangible broadness/extent of Lord Shanmuga, the minute-ness in Lord Brahma’s creationsHe explained with a smile His face.He enabled me to perceive the subtleness of this bodyRevealing the Eight Siddhis that could be accomplishedகருத்தினிற் கபால வாயினிற் காட்டிஇருத்தி முத்தி இனிதெனக் கருளி என்னை யறிவித்து எனக்கருள் செய்துமுன்னை வினையின் முதலை களைந்துKaruththinil Kabaala Vaayinil KaatiIruththi Muththi Inidhenakku AruliEnnai Ariviththu Enakkarul SeidhuMunnai Vinaiyin Mudhalai KalaindhuAfter revealing it to my mind and vision - the gateway to the mindHe bestowed enlightenment sweetly as ever He made me know myself and showered his grace on meClearing off the sins/karma of my previous birthsவாக்கும் மனமு மில்லா மனோலயம் தேக்கி யென்றன் சிந்தை தெளிவித்து இருள்வெளி இரண்டிற்கு ஒன்றிட மென்ன அருள்தரும் ஆனந்தத் தழுந்தியென் செவியில் Vaakkum Manamum Illa ManolayamThaekki Endhan Sindhal ThelivithuIrulveli Irandirrkku Ondridam EnnaArultharum Aanandhaththu Azhundhi Enn SeviyilmeaningAligning the mind in Him seamlessly without words or thoughts in itClarifying my intellect with that alignmentExplaining Void and Space emanate from the same sourceThat showers the grace and joy in my ears to listenஎல்லை யில்லா ஆனந்த மளித்து அல்லல் களைந்தே அருள்வழி காட்டி சத்தத்தி னுள்ளே சதாசிவம் காட்டிசித்தத்தி னுள்ளே சிவலிங்கம் காட்டி Ellai Illa Aanandham AliththuAllal Kalaindhae Arul Vazhi KaatiSaththaninullae Sadhasivam KaatiSiththaninullae Siva Lingam KaatiGranting me the limitless joyRemoving the troubles and showing the path of graceShowing the Shapeless Supreme Sadashivam in the sound (OM)Revealing the Shiva-lingam in my mindஅணுவிற் கணுவாய் அப்பாலுக் கப்பாலாய் கனுமுற்றி நின்ற கரும்புள்ளே காட்டிவேடமும் நீறும் விளங்க நிறுத்திகூடுமெய்த் தொண்டர் குழாத்துடன் கூட்டிAnuvirkku Anuvaai Appaalukku AppaalaaiKanumuttri Nindra Karumbullae KaatiVedamum Neerum Vilanga NiruththiKoodumei Thondar Kuzhaathudan Kootimeaning,Existing as an atom for an atom (so small) and distance beyond the distant (Universe)Revealing as the sugarcane that is ripe with the strong seamsEnabling the desire for devotion and clarifying about the sacred ashMerging me with the group of ardent devotees that gather to worshipஅஞ்சக் கரத்தின் அரும்பொருள் தன்னைநெஞ்சக் கருத்தின் நிலையறி வித்து தத்துவ நிலையை தந்தெனை யாண்டவித்தக விநாயக விரைகழல் சரணேAnja Karaththin Arumporul ThannaiNenja Karuththin NilayarivithuThathuva Nilaiyai Thandhenai AandaViththaga Vinayaga Virai Kalal Saranae

meaning, Revealing the sacred meaning of the Five Letters (Namashivaya)Instilling that knowledge in my heart and mindHe ruled me imparting the philosophical state of mindThe wise Lord Vinayaga, at his feet I take refuge with my hands togetherThe
beauty of Vinayagar Agaval is that it makes anyone engrossed and makes
them read again and again and enjoy the bliss. The bliss is not just the
praises of Lord Vinayaga, but the amount of wisdom that it contains.
The flow and rhythm enthrals everyone.People
believe that regular recitation of the Vinayagar Agaval improves their
speech. Some people have trouble with intonations and pronunciation. The
regular recital makes the tongue to twist and turn improving the way
people speak.The
richness and eloquence in the usage of words proves Avvaiyar’s mettle
and of course the grace she would have got from Lord Vinayaga. The grace
from the Universally liked God, is what would have exalted Avvaiyar to
an ever-remembered and revered female icon in Tamil Literature.More to come, until then...

10 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Hello Prabhu,I request you to write an article on Nadi Josiyam. I contact a Nadi astrologer, he mentioned my father's name and mother's name with just my right thumb impression without asking any questions. Since you are well versed in tamil literature, I would like to see your views on Nadi Josiyam.

I am looking for an authentic write-up on Avvaiyar's vinayakar agaval for a temple souvenir. I am a volunteer with the temple. Is it possible to reach you by email regarding that? Your blog post on avvaiyar is pretty good.

I would like to get your permission to reprint this blog post on Vinayakar agaval with you as an author. For that it would help to talk or email. Pl refer to my blog page with some souvenirs i was involved with:http://rithaavaree.wordpress.com/souvenir-volumes/

Hi prabhu, Thank you for publishing this great article. I have memorised and I recite vinayakar agaval. I would strongly like to know the meaning of agaval and I have a lot of clarifications. Please let me know in detail of the below, Showing details of the Idai and Pingalai Naadis that control the flow of breathThe end of which is the Suzhumunai Naadi at the head.He made me realize about the pillar that stands connected to the three realmsAnd the Snake (Kundalini) that rises above